The Goodness of God

Gladys Crook

Knowest thou not, O Man, that the goodness and forbearance of God leadeth thee to repentance? Surely the goodness of the Lord brings us to repentance and that is when we see our need of a Saviour. We read in the 107th Psalm, verse 9, that “he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” How wonderful to be filled with the goodness of God!

After relating how the Lord had delivered the children of Israel out of their troubles, and saved them out of their distresses, the Psalmist declares in verses 8, 15, 21 and 31 of Psalm 107: “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” The last verse declares that they who are wise will observe these things, and even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.

We are told in Psalm 33:5 that the whole earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. We see so much every day that surely doesn’t seem like the goodness of God, but we still believe His Word and know that the earth is full of His goodness. In Psalm 31:19 we read, Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” We that know and trust the Lord find that He does have much goodness laid up for us, and we receive of His bounty.

In the 27th Psalm, verse 13, David says, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” It does keep one from fainting to just believe what the Word declares.

It is also a part of the nine-fold gift of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance. Gal. 5:22-23.

Everyone knows and can quote the 23rd Psalm, and it ends with “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen.

Satisfied

Gladys Crook

A few thoughts on the word “Satisfy” found in the Psalms:

In the 90th Psalm, verse 3, we find that the Lord turned man to destruction and then commanded, “Return, ye children of men,” and how it seemed to be a continual dwelling in the fear and wrath of the Lord. They realized how short their life really was, and finally, in verse 13 cried out, “Return, O LORD, how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants.” In verse 14, they cried out, “O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Surely, it is only the mercies of the Lord that can satisfy the soul. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning” Lam. 3:22,23.

Then in Psalm 107, verse 9: “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Only the Lord can fill that longing down deep within us, and also the hunger for Him. In this Psalm, we see how the children of Israel and we are much alike, left to ourselves. They were constantly moving away from the Lord, and when they got into deep trouble, they cried unto the Lord. God is always faithful to hear the cry of His own, and He delivered them out of their distresses. Four times in this Psalm we read, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness and his wonderful works to the children of men!” They seemingly forget so quickly.

In Psalm 103, verse 5, we read, “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” There are many good things mentioned in the Word. Hebrews 13:9: “…it is good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Also in Psalm 92:1 we read, ‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” Also Psalm 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” So we thank the Lord that we can be satisfied with good things, and can be renewed like the eagle.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1. The last verse reads, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” The Lord gives a long life of satisfaction, and all the while He shows us His salvation, which is Jesus Christ. Simeon, coming into the temple, took up the baby Jesus in his arms and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace…For mine eyes have seen thy salvation…A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” Luke 2:29-32.

The lest verse of Psalm 17: “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness.” We shall not be fully satisfied until we behold Him and are made like Him, fully conformed to His image.

HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE

Gladys Crook

“Blessed be the  God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein we greatly rejoice…” I Peter 1:3-6.

This is a living hope, and I believe, speaks of when we receive our glorified bodies, the first phase of our inheritance. We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, and surely, that salvation is when we receive our new bodies. It is a hope that is sure and steadfast as are all the promises of the Lord.

In Hebrews 6:18-20 we read, we have “strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus…” That is why it is sure, because Jesus Himself has gone before.

Then we read of the Blessed Hope in Titus 2:11-13. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Surely it is a Blessed Hope. When the storms of life surround us, we have the upward look above the clouds and are blessed.

I John 3:2-3: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as she is pure.” So this is a purifying Hope. That is why we are told to live soberly, righteously, in this present world. It surely does purify and sanctify our hearts.

Then we read in Romans 5:2-5 of the Hope of the glory of God in which we rejoice. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts…” We shall never be put to shame for the Hope that we have because of the love of God in our hearts, and because it is sure and stedfast.

The last verse of I Corinthians 13 tells, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” One of these days soon, Faith and Hope will no longer be needed, but Love will be with us throughout Eternity. Praise the Lord!

SATISFIED

Gladys Crook

A few thoughts on the word “Satisfy” found in the Psalms:

In the 90th Psalm, verse 3, we find that the Lord turned man to destruction and then commanded, “Return, ye children of men,” and how it seemed to be a continual dwelling in the fear and wrath of the Lord. They realized how short their life really was, and finally, in verse 13 cried out, “Return, “O LORD, how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants.” In verse 14, they cried out, “O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Surely, it is only the mercies of the Lord that can satisfy the soul. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning” Lam. 3:22-23.

Then in Psalm 107, verse 9: “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Only the Lord can fill that longing down deep within us, and also the hunger for Him. In this Psalm, we see how the children of Israel and we are much alike, left to ourselves. They were constantly moving away from the Lord, and when they were constantly moving away from the Lord, and when they got into deep trouble, they cried unto the Lord. God is always faithful to hear the cry of His own, and He delivered them out of their distresses. Four times in this Psalm we read, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and his wonderful works to the children of men!” They seemingly forget so quickly.

In Psalm 103, verse 5, we read, “Who satisfieth they mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s” There are many good things mentioned in the Word. Hebrews 13:9: “…it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Also in Psalm 92:1 we read, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name. O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” Also Psalm 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” So we thank the Lord that we can be satisfied with good things, and can be renewed like the eagle.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1. The last verse reads, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” The Lord gives a long life of satisfaction, and all the while He shows us His salvation, which is Jesus Christ. Simeon, coming into the temple, took up the baby Jesus in his arms and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace…For mine eyes have seen they salvation…A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” Luke 2:29-32.

The last verse of Psalm 17: “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness.” We shall not be fully satisfied until we behold Him and are made like Him, fully conformed to His image.